BELLEVUE COLLEGE

 

 

IBP069

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS

6710A

 

 

Spring Quarter, 2012

TTh 9:30a-11:40a

B257

 

 

Instructor:                 John McAlvay

 

Home Phone:          (206) 236-0947 (8:00 am to 8:00 PM only please)

                                   

E-mail address:      jmcalvay@bellevuecollege.edu

           

Note: All e-mails must include the class name, time and days

in the subject line.

 

E.g. Re: IBP 069, 9:30 a.m., TTh

 

            Only emails sent from your BC email account will be responded to

 

READ THIS ENTIRE SYLLABUS CAREFULLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE QUARTER.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENTS!

 

 

Course Description:

 

This course provides a general survey of business principles, practices, theory and terminology with emphasis on applications in the business environment.

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

  define basic business concepts, participants and activities

  define and compare four types of economics systems and
articulate the role of supply, demand and competition in a free-enterprise system

  examine the effect of technology and globalization on business

  compare and evaluate business ethics, social responsibility and legal compliance

  assess and contrast the options for organizing a business and
apply management techniques to achieving organizational goals

  define the importance of organization, teamwork and communication

  compare and contrast human resource management theories and workforce motivation methods

  define the nature of marketing, marketing research, information systems and promotion strategies

  demonstrate a basic knowledge of accounting systems and financial statements

  demonstrate enhanced critical thinking, communication, interpretation, decision-making, analytical, reading writing, comprehension, and speaking skills

 

 

Course Materials

 

1.         Required Text:  Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, Understanding Business, 9th Edition.

 

 

2.         Required: Five Scantron Cards and a #2 pencil for exams/quizzes         (Do not fold, wrinkle or damage Scantron cards.)

 

 

Grades are Based upon 1000 possible points* :

 

            1.  Assignments, Group Activities and Quizzes                 100

            2.  Interview or Tech Report                                       20

            3.  Term Project                                                                     100

            4.  Tests (3 at 180)                                                                540

5.    Final Exam                                                                       180

6.    Class Participation:                                                          60

 

            Total                                                                                     1000

 

            (*If more or less than 1000 points are actually assigned during the quarter,

the percentage grade for work actually assigned will be projected to

1000 points.)

 

 

Grade Distribution:

 

960-1000       POINTS         = A      = 4.0

920-959         POINTS         = A-     = 3.7

890-919         POINTS         = B+    = 3.3

860-889         POINTS         = B      = 3.0

840-859         POINTS         = B-     = 2.7

810-839         POINTS         = C+    = 2.3

780-809         POINTS         = C      = 2.0

750-779         POINTS         = C-     = 1.7

670-749         POINTS         = D+    = 1.3

600-669         POINTS         = D      = 1.0

< 600 POINTS                     = F      = 0.0

 

 

Tests, Assignments and Participation:

 

1. In-class activities and quizzes. Classroom learning experiences in groups, or individually, count for points and will serve as a measure of attendance.   Absolutely No make-ups will be allowed for missed quizzes or in-class activities.

 

            2. Interview or Tech Report:  (See Shared Documents in MyBC Class Site)

 

            3.  Term Project:  (See Shared Documents in MyBC Class Site)

 

 

4.  Tests:  Tests may cover both assigned textbook readings, handouts, and material presented in class including lectures, videos, guest lecturers, and group discussions. 

 

Tests are given only once.  If a student does not take a test at the scheduled time, absolutely no early or late makeup is allowed.  The student's grade on the missed exam will be the same percentage grade as the percentage grade received on the next exam (with a 15% score reduction for the missed exam unless an excellent documented excuse is verified -- e.g. a medical emergency) Documentation must be provided before the next exam.  Only one test may be missed.  A second missed test will receive a zero score. 

 

Students may use a Standard English language dictionary during any test, however, business dictionaries or encyclopedias are not permitted and their use will result in a zero grade on the exam.

 

            5.  Final Exam:  The final exam will be comprehensive.  Questions may come           from all materials assigned or covered in the course with possible emphasis

on any chapters that have been covered in class but not previously tested.

           

 

            6. Class Participation: 

 

Consistent good attitude and active participation in classroom activities are expected by your instructor and strongly influence this component of your grade.  By showing up for each class on time and consistently demonstrating the type of behavior and attitude that contribute positively to the learning environment, you will earn a substantial part of these points.  On the other hand, frequent side communications or other distracting or disrespectful behavior, poor attitude or frequent unexplained absence or tardiness will result in 0 participation points regardless of contributions to class discussions. 

 

 

Instructional policy/instructor expectations

 

 

1.    The learning environment:

 

The instructor strongly believes that all students deserve to have a positive learning environment.  Although some class lectures may be kept informal to facilitate discussion, you are required at all times to show courtesy and respect to other students, the teacher and the learning environment as a whole.  Conduct that inappropriately detracts from the teaching or learning environment will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action in accordance with BC policies and procedures.  You will receive no more than two notices of inappropriate conduct.  If there is a third incident, the instructor will, without further notice, contact the appropriate Dean to discuss your removal from the class and / or other disciplinary action.

 

 

Spontaneous class comments/humor

 

Good-natured comments or spontaneous humor from the class can help create a casual and positive learning environment.  This is only true, however, if they are 1) shared with the entire class, 2) relevant to what is going on in class, 3) tasteful and 4) respectful to all students, the instructor, and the learning environment.  Spontaneous class comments that meet all four criteria are encouraged, those that don't are not permitted.

 

.

 

Side Communications

 

No distracting side-communications are permitted on any subject. (The "One Person at a Time Rule")

 

When we work together as a class, only one person may speak at a time, whether that is the instructor, or a student who has the floor. 

 

Distracting side communications are not allowed even if they are course-related. If for example, you ask your neighbor about something you didn't hear or understand in class, your side-conversation may cause another student not to hear, resulting in still another side-conversation.  To avoid this snowball effect, you will be asked to address your questions or comments to the class as a whole, so that everyone in class may benefit from them.  (The key is to enjoy socializing with the class, not disturbing the class by socializing with your neighbor.)

 

Side-communications are distracting (and prohibited) if they occur frequently or are lengthy or if they draw the attention of other students or the instructor away from planned classroom activities.  Communications include, but are not limited to, talking, laughing, passing notes, signals, gestures, sharing lap tops etc.

 

Students, whose side-conversations become a recurring distraction, may be told to leave, be physically separated in the classroom and/or be downgraded to 0 participation points.  They may also be subjected to disciplinary action under BC policies and procedures as indicated in instructional policy 1. 

 

 

Bellevue College Student Code of Conduct

 

Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College.  Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College.  Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Dean of Student Services.

 

 

            2.  Attendance/Schedule changes:  Students are expected to be present at all scheduled class sessions, when possible, and will be held responsible for all announcements and schedule changes given during the session*.  Students who miss classes should contact a classmate or class partner to obtain lecture notes and class announcements.   Experience shows a high correlation between attendance and test grades. Missed classes almost always hurt your grade.  If you don't think you can or will be able to attend faithfully and on time, you should not take this class.  Missing more than 15% of the classes may result in a failing grade or expulsion from IBP.

 

            *In the event of a school closure (e.g. in the case of bad weather), Students will be expected to check the MyBC class site and know about any changes that are posted there.

 

 

Tardiness:  Students are expected to arrive on time for class.  Students who arrive late for class two times will be counted as absent for all following late arrivals. 

 

 

3.  Out-of-class Assignments:  Out-of-class assignments must be of professional quality.  Each paper should begin with a title page. (See template in MyBC shared documents section)  Use the same style page numbering as the title page throughout the paper.

 

 

General Document Guidelines:  

A.   Margins: One inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)         

B.   Font Size and Type: 12-pt. Arial

C.   Spacing: 1.5 spacing throughout the paper. (In Word, select the text you would like to apply that spacing to. Go to Format>Paragraph>Spacing, select 1.5 from the drop-down menu.)

D.   Alignment: Flush left (creating uneven right margin)         

E.   Pagination:  Page numbers one inch from the right edge of the paper on the first line of every page, beginning with the title page.    

F.    Handwritten or unstapled papers will receive a significant score reduction.

G.   Copying, word for word, from other sources (such as magazine articles, books, web pages etc.) without crediting the source by using quotation marks is plagiarism and considered cheating.  Use your own words!

 

 

Assignments must be submitted by the beginning of the class when they are due.  Except for special circumstances such as a documented medical emergency, late homework will receive a 40% score reduction.  Homework not received by the beginning of class on the date of the test next following its due date will receive a zero score.   

 

 

 

            4.  Student concerns: Students are encouraged to discuss concerns or class problems, if any, with the instructor.  The instructor is also available throughout the quarter to discuss the student's current approximate grade and ways to improve it.  If you have difficulty keeping up with note taking your instructor can give you suggestions that will help.

 

 

            5.   Extra Credit:  some hard-earned extra credit may be available for responsible students who regularly attend class and turn assignments in on time.  (Extra credit will not act as a substitute for points lost due to missed classes or late work.)   You may sign up for an extra credit assignment ­after the second exam.  All extra credit work must be turned in before the third exam. 

 

           

            6.  Students With Special Needs:

 

 

 

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of the Disability Resource Center (in Room B132) to establish their eligibility for accommodation.  Telephone: (425) 564-2498 or TTY (425) 564-4110.  In addition, students are encouraged to review their accommodation requirements with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.  Information is also available on their website at http://bellevuecollege.edu/drc/

 

If you have information to share with me about a potential medical emergency, please contact me via email or phone. Emergency preparedness is important! 

 

 

7.  Cheating:  Cheating includes but is not limited to plagiarizing, improper collaboration with another, or using improper methods to complete an exam or assignment.  If you cheat, or aid someone else in cheating the following actions will be taken: 

 

1. You will receive a grade of zero for the exam or assignment where cheating occurred.  In some cases you may receive a failing grade for the entire course.

 

2.  A report of the incident will be sent to the Dean of Students (See WAC 132H-120).  The Dean may file a report in your permanent record or take further action such as suspension or expulsion.  If you feel you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may appeal. 

 

8.  Incompletes: If a student does not complete the course work, an incomplete grade will not automatically be given.  You may receive a failing course grade.  See the instructor before the deadline for withdrawal.  If you drop out of the course without withdrawing and without discussing your situation with the instructor, you will receive a zero grade for all work not completed.

 

 

            9.  Bad weather/emergencies:

 

For school closure information, check the school's web site (http://bellevuecollege.edu/status/), call BC closure update line (425) 401-6680), listen to radio stations: KING, KIRO, KOMO, KVI, KRKO, KWUZ, KUBE or KPLZ or watch TV stations KIRO, KING, or KOMO.  Conditions may vary throughout the Puget Sound Area so always use your own judgment about safety.

 

For class information, including changing test dates or due dates for papers in the event of school closure, check the announcement section of your class site in MyBC.  This will be my method of communicating with you in school closure situations.   If test or paper due dates change due to school closure, students will be expected to know any new dates posted in the MyBC class site.

 

 

10.   Overload Policy:  No overloads are permitted.  Students who do not get into the class initially are given the option to get on the wait list.  The registrar controls the wait-list.  Students who are not admitted through normal registration or through the waitlist process described above will not be admitted if the class is full.  No blue cards will be issued if the class is full.  Only registered students may attend after the third day of the quarter.

 

Blue cards will not be issued for students dropped for administrative reasons (e.g. non-payment) unless there is space in the class after the registration and wait-list process described above.

           

 

11.  Campus resources for students:

 

Bellevue College provides many resources for students including Reading, Writing and Math Labs, an Academic Tutoring Center and a Disability Resource Center.  Links to these resources can be found on the Bellevue College website under the heading Academic Success Center:

http://bellevuecollege.edu/resources/services/

 

12.  Affirmation of Inclusion:

Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the College free from harassment and discrimination.  We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are expected to treat one another with dignity and respect.